Free John Summit and Calvin Harris Show Mired by Crowd Surges, Security Breaches

John Summit and Calvin Harris performed at a free College Football Playoff party on Miami Beach. Crowds quickly exceeded organizer expectations.

On Saturday, January 17, scenes of chaos played out at a free College Football Playoff party in Lummus Park on Miami Beach headlined by John Summit and Calvin Harris after revelers overwhelmed the event’s security staff.

According to Miami New Times, organizers planned to accommodate 20,000 people, but 30,000 showed up. Some had arrived in the morning to wait in line, and once doors opened at 7pm, numerous entrants rushed the security staff. Throughout the event’s runtime, crowd members also removed sections of the fence lining the perimeter for further breaches.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live!, as the event was called, issued a statement around the time the event started. “We have officially reached capacity for tonight’s … concert at Lummus Park,” it reads. “For the safety of all guests and staff, we cannot allow further entry at this time. If you are not already inside, please do not head to the park.”

Video clips making their rounds on social media show attendees endangering themselves and others by climbing onto sound equipment, and the Miami police reported arresting individuals for such infractions. Crowd surges led to audience members fainting, and nearby traffic was impeded as people departed the venue.

Against all odds, Harris and Summits DJ sets themselves ran without issue. Neither artist has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding the event at the time of writing.

AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! also billed local DJ and producer Xandra on Saturday night’s bill. It returned to Lummus Park the following day, featuring performances by Peso Pluma, Latin Mafia, and Alvaro Diaz.